This should be the first place where to go when the scope is to see Penguins. It's the biggest colony ever and they are everywhere. You can observe them very close and see what's they daily life about. Quite place easy access.
I really enjoyed seeing all of the Penguins in their natural habitat! it is a very nice walk although on many uneven rocky walkways. It was lovely seeing so many penguins - both young and old. Try to go early and if possible with a small group - when the buses arrive it is hard to walk. Also look for rheas (an ostrich like bird) and guanacos (look like llamas). The drive from Purrto Madryn was long 2 hours each way and part of the road (40 kilometers) is on a dusty gravel road.
Our family couldn't have stayed long enough at Punta Tombo so we were really glad we had our own rental car. Couldn't get enough of those cute little faces...enjoyed a great burger at the restaurant in the reserve. If you love photography, be sure to visit. Take your telephoto lens! A lot of the trip advisor comments were about the roads. Do not be afraid of driving. We are from Texas. They are just gravel roads. Also, they seem to be working a lot on the quality of the roads down there. Beware though, at our next location, El Calafate, Hertz canceled our reservation with only 1 1/2 days notice and left us big time stuck out on a limb.
It worth a visit. They cross in front of you many times. We can't touch them but we stayed at 2 feet from penguins. Its amazing visit. Prepare for spend at least 2 hours there.
if you go at the right time (I went in December and it was perfect) you will get to see the babies, and interact with these beautiful animals. i spent almost 3 hours there and time flew!!! Also, i was staying in Puerto Madryn and didn't have time to do all the activities i wanted to due to time. So i decided to rent a car and make it at my own time, which worked perfectly! the buses leave early in the morning and i thing going around 3-4 is better because the place is less crowded. i loved it! attaching some pictures. The restaurant is pretty nice as well. i only had empanada but i can tell it's a good one by just trying that. do it!
This was a long day of driving but well worth it. The penguins were fascinating. We were surprised at the vast area of this colony. You walk on paths through part of the colony and get relatively close to the penguins, but respectful of their space. It was fun to watch them make their way to the water and back up the hill.
We used Bottazzi Travel agency in Puerto Madryn to travel to this site to see the nesting site of the largest Magallenic penguin colony in Patagonia. Out guide Mimi was fabulous. She knows her geology, her history and the penguins. We had 90 minutes inside the protected area ( lots of resear h going on in the colony) to walk along paths and see the adults and juveniles in their nests, walking (shuffling actually) up to 1200 m to the water, pruning each other, cooling off and just being. Its a completely engaging experience and worth the tour cost of 560 pesos and the entrance fee of 130 pesos.
We went to puerto madryn in January and tried about every attraction that allowed wildlife watching. This is by far the best, allowing to literally walk among thousands of penguins. Definitely worth the trip from trelew or puerto madryn.Tip: if you land at trelew airport early enough in the day, you can ask a cab to drive you there and back. For 2 or 3 people it will end up being cheaper than the tours offered in puerto madryn.
Our Celebrity cruise stopped at Puerto Madryn. Since we like penguins so much, we booked a tour to Punta Tumbo. What a fabulous place! We saw many thousands of penguins in their natural habitat. It was a pleasure to walk amongst them and observe their daily life. Punta Tumbo Rookery does a great job of making it easy to be quite close to these adorable creatures. If you are planning a trip to Patagonia and you like penguins, have a go at this place,
This is a unique place in the world to see the baby pinguins .so special to watch the Magelan Pinguins without any fear at all from us. They look at you and you feel very special to be accepted.Area is well organized and protected. Good service all around.